State auditors to probe Fritch's finances

Texas attorney General Greg Abbott’s office has subpoenaed statements from two government investment pools and some unidentified individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into Fritch’s finances, officials said Tuesday.

More than 50 people turned out Tuesday to hear an update on the city’s flagging finances at the school administration building.

Interim City Manager John Horst confirmed state auditors are taking a close look at the finances of some former employees and are examining loans taken out by former city workers.

In response to a question from one resident, Horst said the investigation will focus on allegations that at least one employee received an improper loan to make a down payment on a home.

Horst said the city has turned over numerous financial records to auditors. Investigators also will examine airline travel and an instance in which a former worker used city funds to have his wife accompany him on a taxpayer-funded trip.

“A few credit card statements, we had a few questionable expenditures there, too,” he said after the meeting.

Horst said officials don’t yet know how much is missing from city coffers, but said they hope to learn more as the investigation develops. Horst said officials hope indictments will be brought against those responsible.